Four CASAs operational

The change of generations can also be named the ceremony at the 24 Air Transportation Base at Prague-Kbely to mark introduction of four CASA C-295M aircraft into operation replacing old An-26 aircraft.

The ceremony was held at the Prague-Kbely base 22 December 2010 when the parade was attended by Czech Air Force Commander Brigadier General Jiri Verner with other guests. Four new CASA aircraft in four different versions, which replace medium transport Russia-made An-26 were presented at the airport landing ground.

According to outgoing commander of the base Colonel Josef Bejdak, notwithstanding all troubles accompanying the acquisition, the aircraft are on the ground and they will contribute to higher transportation safety. They will be available to a rising generation of pilots among whom is also one lady, First Lieutenant Pavlina Engelova.

The present commander of the Prague-Kbely base Colonel Jiri Vavra in his speech stressed that the machines will serve for safe transportation for up to thirty years and they will be also used in ISAF mission in faraway Afghanistan. „Even today we fulfill a number of new tasks and these aircraft will certainly make our work easier,“ Coloner Vavra said.

General Jiri Verner congratulated the squadron in which CASAs serve a lot of success with famous air slogan: How many take-offs, so many happy landings.

Military chaplain First Lieutenant Jiri Zednicek completed the ceremony with request for blessing of safe flight not only for crews but also for passengers, who will certainly highly regard the comfort of these Spanish machines.